Tell us about your design philosophy!
Design and décor can seem overwhelming, expensive and intimidating. It doesn’t have to be. My design philosophy – my entire approach, is for real people, real homes and real budgets. I believe our surroundings can truly make our lives better. Sometimes, the smallest changes can make a big impact! As much as I love finding just the right paint color or the perfect throw pillow, details like these alone don’t make a home. Creating a space that is welcoming and functions how you need it – that’s what turns a home into a haven. I don’t call myself a designer. I didn’t graduate from a fancy design school and I am not certified in any way. I have done several major renovations, makeovers and I study design on my own. I will never
import hand painted wallpaper from Paris or suggest a rare tile only found in Italy. There are amazing designers that do those kinds of designs, but that isn’t me. I do understand how a room needs to work based on YOUR LIFE, YOUR BUDGET and how to create the feeling and function YOU WANT.
When people think of design, they tend to think of high-end design. How did you come to focus on affordable design?
Contrary to what we see on tv and social media, not everybody has cathedral ceilings, panoramic windows or mountain views. Most of us live in the real world, where design has to consider practical realities. Room size, budgets, available natural light, space, function, kids, dogs, the list goes on and on. These are real things that we can’t see when flipping through the pages of a glossy magazine or scrollingon Instagram. Home is a feeling that shouldn’t depend on where we live or how big a budget we have. My first apartment was a teeny, tiny studio in Manhattan. I decorated it with hand me downs and flea market finds. I’ve never had enormous budgets for decorating, but I always wanted to love my home. So, I got creative, learned where to shop and how to create the “look for less.” A fun example of a look for less is my hall bath, which always makes guests ooh and aah. It’s very small and pretty simple, but everybody drools over the tile. I love seeing the shock on their face when they learn it’s super affordable porcelain, made to look like marble that I found at Home Depot. I couldn’t afford the tile I originally wanted, so I hunted until I found something that gave a similar vibe at a much lower price. In the end, it came in way under budget, giving me extra to me splurge on the vanity!
Where are some of your favorite places to score deals on home decor?
I shop where you shop. I stalk stores like Homegoods, Target, Amazon and Wayfair for the best prices. Some of my most exciting finds have come from Facebook Marketplace, flea markets and some treasures I even picked up on the curb! At the big-time stores, I’m always on the lookout for every sale and markdown. Nothing makes me happier than helping you save money on your favorite décor items, furniture, hardware – whatever it is to add the perfect element to make your space feel more like home. We live in such a good area for gorgeous estate sales, garage sales and scoring stuff on Facebook Marketplace. These are the places I usually score meaningful pieces or items to add character to a client’s space. I recommend keeping a list on your phone of things you’re in the market for, including the dimensions. This way, you can remind yourself what you need before you start shopping and check items before making an emotional purchase. This helps avoid buyer’s remorse, especially because there are no returns at places like that! Of course, Homegoods, Amazon and Wayfair are huge go-to’s for me. It’s all about hunting for the right items. At budget prices, certain brands have better quality than others. I focus on those and if I haven’t seen the item myself, I study the reviews! For lighting, I highly recommend Lighting New York. They’ll usually give a 20% discount for first-time buyers and their customer service is great. (not sponsored!) For affordable, large-scale art I always check Great Big Canvas. (also not sponsored) For furniture, my first stops are Target’s Threshold line, World Market and Kirklands. They usually offer good quality, good prices and lots of choices. I also stalk CB2 and McGee & Co. for sales because I love a lot of their stuff. (definitely not sponsored).
Was there a particular person or moment that you would attribute your passion for design to?
My previous careers taught me so much about design. When I was in the corporate world, I was very fortunate to work for some iconic, big companies: Christian Dior, Swarovski, Virgin Atlantic, Diageo… andI traveled the world as the Director of Communications for the Women’s Tennis Association. I learned a lot about design by being immersed in prestige brands, merchandising retail stores, seeing world class hotels and learning how design impacts the customer experience. My current house is my “fourth forever home.” For a variety of reasons, I’ve thought each of my last three places would be my forever home. But here I am in my fourth house and I’ve learned nothing is forever. The first house renovation was thanks to tropical storm Irene flooding the first floor. It was a full gut, including flood mitigation, new kitchen, electrical, hvac, insulation, mold remediation, etc. I had to stay within the amount of the insurance payment for all the renovations, which meant making every dollar stretch as far as possible. Not only did the renovation turn out beautifully, I included key elements into the construction to help reduce flooding issues in the future. This made me feel safe in the home and made the house more appealing for the next buyer. Looking back, I think this is when the idea of Brooke Haven was born, but I didn’t even know it at the time.
The design process can be intimidating and stressful. What do you want clients who work with you to know?
Instead of asking a client for their budget, I start with an example. If you were shopping for a car, are you looking for a Ferrari or a Honda? Or somewhere in between? Not everybody can afford a Ferrari. And not everybody wants one! Hondas are celebrated for their design, pricing and reliability. It is much easier to answer the question of budget when related to cars, but when I ask about a renovation or makeover budget, people typically freeze. Putting it into these terms helps so we can make the money part less intimidating. Whether it’s $500 or $5000, we’ll make a plan that works for you and your budget. Do you have a favorite area of the home to design for? I love working on any space. Kitchens are truly satisfying because they’re so important to a home. I love styling coffee tables, shelves and mantles. Outdoor spaces have become a thing people hire me for, which is so cool. Baby nurseries are always special for me. But, I think, weirdly, that my absolute favorite space to do is a powder room. Since they are usually small and contained spaces, they can be a great way to magnify your existing style or step outside your comfort zone. Dramatic color, bold wallpaper, tiling the ceiling, statement lighting…all of it seems more fun and less scary for a powder room. Because the space is smaller, we can usually use some higher end finishes. You don’t need much, so it won’t break the bank!
Do you have a favorite area of the home to design for?
I love working on any space. Kitchens are truly satisfying because they’re so important to a home. I love styling coffee tables, shelves and mantles. Outdoor spaces have become a thing people hire me for, which is so cool. Baby nurseries are always special for me. But, I think, weirdly, that my absolute favorite space to do is a powder room. Since they are usually small and contained spaces, they can be a great way to magnify your existing style or step outside your comfort zone. Dramatic color, bold wallpaper, tiling the ceiling, statement lighting…all of it seems more fun and less scary for a powder room. Because the space is smaller, we can usually use some higher end finishes. You don’t need much, so it won’t break the bank!
What are some things you think are worth splurging on? What are some things you think areworth saving on?
Understanding where to splurge and where to save is so important in stretching a budget. But for me, it goes hand-in-hand with understanding how you live. If you’re a collector that loves antiques, an investment rug might be the way to go. If not, I’ll find a dupe that gives you the look for less. I usually recommend creating a base with good quality, yet affordable pieces that are neutral. This gives a foundation of long-term items that won’t bore you over time. Color, texture and character can be added with budget-friendly accessories, art and décor items. These are easy and affordable to change with the seasons or when inspiration strikes. What is one of your favorite DIY projects you've worked on? I like to tackle “bite-sized” DIY projects. Things like hanging an artwork gallery wall, changing the upholstery on a chair cushion, painting an accent wall, swapping out hardware on furniture, rub-and- buffing a frame, refreshing a thrift store find with elbow grease or a can of spray paint. But most of the time, just folding the laundry is enough of a DIY project for me.
What sparked your love for design?
When we moved from our apartment to our first house when I was 12, my parents added lots of reddish- toned, wood furniture. In our new neighborhood, I got a babysitting job for the nicest family. My mind was blown when I saw their wood furniture was all pale, blonde wood, which until then, I didn’t know existed. That was my first lesson in different design styles. At that moment, I promised myself that when I was an
adult, I would never have reddish brown furniture.
Can you share with us about one of your most memorable design projects you’ve worked on?
Oh no, I don’t think I could ever pick just one! Every project is memorable and special in their own way. But I have to admit, doing the nursery for Laura Young was a highlight that I’ll never forget. She was going through such a difficult pregnancy, I was determined to create a beautiful nursery without her having to lift a finger or have any hassle whatsoever. For me, it’s the people that make each project special. I cried tears of joy the first time I saw her rocking Benny in the new rocking chair and I still tear up a little when I think about them in their space. I guess this comes full circle, since my very first “client” project came when my sister was pregnant with my niece, 18 years ago. I surprised her with a nursery. I painted wide, tone-on-tone stripes on the walls to make the ceiling feel higher and found someone on Etsy to make neutral crib bedding just the way I had envisioned. I finished it off by building a four-foot mobile hanging over the crib, with woodland creatures peeking out from it. It was before the era of IG, but I still can’t believe I didn’t take any pictures!
What is the most rewarding part of the design process for you?
When I start working with a new client, they’re always surprised by how many questions I ask. From the start, I try to really dig into how you live and the things you love most about your home. The key for me is to understand how you’re currently using the space and how you want to use the space. My whole objective is to create flow, function and feeling just for you. Sometimes it takes a minute to really peel back the layers and get to the heart of what home means for you. For me, that’s when the real work begins and I can create a plan that helps you love your home even more. Creating that feeling for my clients, that’s why I love my job.